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When you're out for a cycle on the Carlingford Lough Greenway along Newry Ship Canal between Victoria Lock and the Albert Basin, you never know who you are going to bump into.
Cycling along yesterday, 15 April, on his European adventure was Jonathan Ramos, a native of Panama in Central America, a place 'almost' as famed for its canal as our very own Newry City.
While Newry Canal was opened in 1742 (or at least the inland bit of it) the Panama Canal didn't open until 1914, although it had been talked about since the 1500's! Traffic wise it 'kind of' beats our offering though with around 14,000 boats a year compared to our 70!
Jonathan had been living and studying in Drogheda but recently he decided he'd like to travel again and found a cheap bike for under €100 and designed his own travelling home, based around a bicycle trailer and reclaimed bits and pieces. With an engineering background he is determined to invent the perfect travelling trailer for a bicycle. His current trailer multitasks as accommodation, a kitchen and of course storage.
When we waved goodbye to him yesterday afternoon he was Belfast bound planning to take a ferry across to GB with the final destination (for now) being Portugal. The 3000km spin will see him travel via England, France and Spain but he is taking the entire summer so has plenty of opportunities to see the villages and towns he will pass through.
Jonathan has got some colourful stickers printed to remember his trip so if you see him be sure to ask him for one.
You can follow his exploits @yoniviaje on Instagram.
